Borneo Highlands Resort — A Hidden Hilltop Getaway Near Kuching
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Ever wondered if there's a place near Kuching where the air actually feels cold?
I'm talking about Borneo Highlands Resort, perched about 1,000 meters above sea level on the Penrissen Range, roughly 80km from town. The drive takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, but fair warning — the last stretch is steep and winding. Most car rentals won't let you drive all the way up, so the resort arranges a 4WD pickup from the foothill for about RM53 per person round trip.
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Source: TripAdvisor / Borneo Highlands ResortFirst thing you'll notice when you arrive — it's quiet. Like, really quiet. No TV in the rooms (yes, that's intentional), no air-con because you won't need it. The temperature sits around 18-28°C, and the ceiling fan is more than enough.
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Source: Crisp of Life blogWhat makes this place interesting is the history. There's actually an 18-hole golf course here called the Hornbill Golf Course designed by Australian Neil Crafter. It used to be a proper resort destination but fell into some legal troubles with the owner. These days it operates more like a quiet getaway — not the bustling resort it once was.
One visitor on TripAdvisor said: "I was perilously near Kuching. The surrounding is entirely dark and no television. The staff were friendly and helping." Another review on Agoda mentioned: "It's a fantastic place to visit, just approx 1 1/4 hour drive from Kuching town. It offers great views from some 1,000 meters above sea level."
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Source: TripAdvisor / Borneo Highlands ResortThe highlight for most people is the Kalimantan Viewpoint — a short 5-minute trek from the resort where you can literally see Indonesia. There's a signpost marking the border. Step past it and you're technically in Kalimantan without a passport, though there's only about 3-5 feet of land before it drops 600 meters straight down. Definitely not for those afraid of heights.
A blogger who visited in 2020 wrote: "We were the only 2 guests checked in the resort and it was a total quiet time for both of us!" They also noted that Celcom offers 1 bar of 4G, but Digi and U-Mobile struggled. So expect to disconnect.
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Source: TripAdvisor / Kalimantan Border View PointThere's also the Bidayuh Spa (Jungle Spa) which is built with traditional Bidayuh ornaments and carvings. They offer treatments like the Peso Perong Therapy (traditional Bidayuh massage using homemade oil brewed with herbs, coconut, pepper, and ginger), organic facials, and foot reflexology.
Practical Info:
- Location: Jalan Borneo Heights, Padawan, 94200 Kuching
- Distance: ~80km / 1hr 20min from Kuching town
- Temperature: 18-28°C (bring a jacket!)
- Contact: 019-8280 790 / 019-8290 790
- Rating: 3.8/5 on Google, 7.1/10 on Agoda
- Pro tip: Go early morning for the sea of clouds at Kalimantan Viewpoint
Would I recommend it? Yes, if you're looking for something different from the usual Kuching attractions. It's not a polished resort experience — it's a bit raw, a bit abandoned in places, but that's part of the charm. Think of it as camping with a roof.
Have you been to Borneo Highlands? Drop a comment and tell us about your experience!
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